IndyCar Silly Season

[rustyfan]

About time we get this fired up

This first list should be considered a 'feeler' list (basically the current 2004 line-up), just to have something to work with:


Access Motorsport - Mark Taylor
AJ Foyt Racing - AJ Foyt IV
Andretti-Green #1 - Tony Kanaan
Andretti-Green #2 - Dan Wheldon
Andretti-Green #3 - Dario Franchitti
Andretti-Green #4 - Bryan Herta
Cheever Racing #1 - Alex Barron
Cheever Racing #1 - Ed Carpenter
Dreyer & Reinbold - Felipe Giaffone
Fernandez Racing #1 - Adrian Fernandez
Fernandez Racing #2 - Kosuke Matsuura
Ganassi Racing #1 - Scott Dixon (signed thru '06?)
Ganassi Racing #2 - Darren Manning (signed thru '05)
Kelley Racing - Scott Sharp
Mo Nunn Racing - Tora Takagi
Panther Racing #1 - Tomas Scheckter
Panther Racing #2 - Townsend Bell
Patrick Racing - Jaques Lazier
Rahal-Letterman #1 - Buddy Rice
Rahal-Letterman #2 - Vitor Meira
Team Penske # 1 - Helio Castroneves
Team Penske # 2 - Sam Hornish Jr.
(22 cars)


As said, the main list above is just a 2004 list to work with, so get those news, rumors, changes, updates, corrections and confirmations posted

[Kicking-back]

Ganassi will have a third car for Sharp or Carpentier, apparently.

[climb]

Herta's seat should be considered in doubt, given his 2004 performances (the only AGR driver never to win)

About Kenny Brack?

[rustyfan]

I doubt Kenny will be back in an IndyCar.

[Down F0rce]

Helio fancies an AGR seat.

[BootsOntheSide]

Does AGR fancy Helio though? Remember that Herta was only signed as a development driver - effectively their strategy is to have 3 drivers fighting for the title, and a 4th to help out with data and information. His salary and expectations are probably lowest of the four, and I doubt AGR would replace him with a fourth big-shot driver.

[Kicking-back]

The talk of Castroneves and AGR is only rumour as far as I know.

And AGR are very happy with Herta.


I fully expect both AGR and Penske to have unchanged line-ups next season.

[luke]

Bryan Herta has been consistently finishing in the top ten recently and I , like Dan wouldn't count him of of winning before the end of the season.



Access Motorsport - Mark Taylor
Access Motorsport - Greg Ray

Andretti-Green #1 - Tony Kanaan
Andretti-Green #2 - Dan Wheldon
Andretti-Green #3 - Dario Franchitti
Andretti-Green #4 - Bryan Herta

Cheever Racing #1 - Alex Barron
Cheever Racing #1 - Ed Carpenter

Dreyer & Reinbold - Felipe Giaffone

Fernandez Racing #1 - Adrian Fernandez
Fernandez Racing #2 - Kosuke Matsuura

Ganassi Racing #1 - Scott Dixon
Ganassi Racing #2 - Darren Manning
Ganassi Racing #3 - Scott Sharp

Mo Nunn Racing - Tora Takagi

Panther Racing #1 - Sam Hornish Jr.
Panther Racing #2 - Townsend Bell

Patrick Racing - Tomas Enge

Rahal-Letterman #1 - Buddy Rice
Rahal-Letterman #2 - Vitor Meira
Rahal-Letterman #3 -Kenny Brack / Roger Yusukuya

Team Penske #1 - Helio Castroneves
Team Penske #2 - Tomas Sheckter
Team Penske #3 - Patrick Carpentier

[GP Racer]

Oh nooooo! The silly season thread!

Well, I'd really like to see Scott Sharp get a shot with the Ganassi team. I think he can be very competitive with a good car, and most important, he knows how to set-up a car, something which the Ganassi boys are lacking right now.

Does anyone see Meira being replaced? Just asking, as his performance, especially on the short tracks, has dropped abit lately.

[rustyfan]

I personally think Meira deserves a full-time ride for 2005 - remember that he joined Rahal several races into the 2004 season, and IMO he's done a good job.

Now if he just could snag that first career victory...

[Tim Northcutt]

I do not believe Meira has to look over his shoulder

and I could've sworn that Rahal had said about a month ago that Meira has eaned a spot in his lineup for next year.......

Does anyone else recall that???

[luke]

The Access Motorsport line up should be Mark Taylor and Greg Ray.
Greg said I'm looking forward to 2005 because I'm preparing to race alongside Mark next year.

It couldn't be more simplar.

Although money is another issue.

[Kicking-back]

I seem to remember Bobby Rahal confirming Meira and Rice for next year, yes.

[Tim Northcutt]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought I had read that news....

[Hazza]

Bryan will stay aslong as Honda are happy with the extra 750miles per weekend of testing they get on his car!

Btw: Any chance of a Stewart racing, or Gordon Racing team next year? I read that Robby is leaving his Nextel seat to "start his own team", now you'd asume thats a Nextel team but...hears hoping! (He's gotta bring that Vavoline livery back! )

[brightline]

I thought Hertas ride was strictly for delevlopment purposes for AGR and Honda. He is the teams tester, runs different setups, different fuel strategies, etc. Also, XM is a strategic partner with Honda, thus the sponsoship. In 2004 I believe 400,000 new Acura's and Honda's came factory equipped with XM, XM is great by the way.

[Kicking-back]

Yes, and they're very happy with him.

[racer69]

Hasn't Kelley Racing said that they aren't selling and he has sponsors and driver signed until the end of 2005.

[rustyfan]

Originally posted by Hazza
Gordon Racing team next year? I read that Robby is leaving his Nextel seat to "start his own team", now you'd asume thats a Nextel team but...hears hoping! (He's gotta bring that Vavoline livery back! )

Gordon's contract with RCR runs out after this season, and right now he doesn't know whether they will extend it or not.

The only thing he does know for 2005 is that he will drive a minimum of 25 races in the Busch Series (where he owns a team).

I too hope he will put together an IndyCar team, but unless he secures a Cup ride (that doesn't involved him running the team himself) I think the plans for that will be put on ice (if they haven't already).

[Down F0rce]

I think he'll bring his team to Indy, but I doubt a full season. He should still be able to use the chassis he used alst year. Just needs a new gearbox I think?

[drewdawg727]

wasn't it stated that the reason herta's results aren't as great as expected because he's in a test car..?

after i posted that i just read what brightline said..ha

[GP Racer]

Originally posted by racer69
Hasn't Kelley Racing said that they aren't selling and he has sponsors and driver signed until the end of 2005.

The last report on Kelley that I read, said that the team was looking for a partner. Tom Kelley thinks he can do it on his own, but admits that a partner is needed to become competitive again. And he wants to give Scott Sharp the best opportunity he can get, as there definetly not happy as a backmarker.

So, I think its just to early to tell what will happen to the team.

On Herta, how long will XM Radio be happy sponsoring the experimental car? I'm sure they would like to see Brian win a few, like his teamates.

[Down F0rce]

Meria is all signed up for next year apparantly. I'd imagine that Rice is too.

[Kicking-back]

Good drive from Herta yesterday.

[GP Racer]

It also looks as though Scheckter will be returning to the Panther team next season. The TV announcers said the deal is just about worked out, and just needs to be signed.

Good pit strategy by the team gave Herta a shot at the win. Nice run for sure!